Banshees Put Celts In With A Shout Of Euro Glory

Nov 9 2008 Andy Walker

NO wonder Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Celtic's fanatical support before he took Manchester United's millionaires to Glasgow in the Champions League last week.

The finest manager Scotland has ever produced claimed "60,000 screaming banshees at Celtic Park is the best atmosphere I've experienced".

He insisted the Parkhead faithful took their team to a higher level on big Euro nights and admitted star players Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo also rated the Glasgow cauldron as the world's best.

And Fergie is probably doubly sure now after watching his side fail to record a Parkhead win for the second time in three seasons.

Celtic's record in Glasgow at the highest level in Europe simply defies logic.

For a club of modest income - compared to most of the big boys on the continent - the Hoops have no right to hold such an impressive home record.

One defeat in 17 group games is remarkable. And the fans lucky enough to witness Wednesday's 1-1 draw with the European champions will never forget another fantastic occasion.

The atmosphere was pulsating and I doubt the stadium has ever erupted so wildly as it did when Scott McDonald edged Celtic in front with a brilliant calm and composed finish.

But how can the Hoops consistently come up with astonishing results against the best teams and best players? Fergie admitted he was embarrassed when his side lost at Parkhead two years ago.

But he's not alone when it comes to tasting the bitter pill of defeat there.

AC Milan were reigning European champions when they lost to Gordon Strachan's men last season while Lyon, Juventus and Porto have also been defeated on glory nights.

If there was ever a doubt that supporters can influence the outcome of a match an engrossing 90 minutes on Wednesday proved what fans can bring to the table.

However, I don't think Ferguson's men were intimidated. Far from it.

They had seen and heard it all before but it's what the noise and bedlam does for the men in Hoops that's hard to cope with.

It puts a yard on their stride and the opposition feel it.

I doubt Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell have defended better than they did against United.

Andreas Hinkel also had his best game in a Celtic jersey and Mark Wilson excelled at left-back.

Strachan took a gamble by playing Cillian Sheridan but the young striker was able to compete with the class of Rio Ferdinand and Vidic.

I know from experience that when the Celtic fans are in full voice your concentration levels are higher. You also jump that little bit higher and get on to loose balls half a yard quicker.

The noise and encouragement coming from the stands on Wednesday was as impressive as anything the old Jungle could come up with.

And - just as they did against United at Old Trafford - Strachan's men were able to compete for 45 minutes and hold their own.

But in the second half it was like watching a training exercise of defence v attack as Fergie's side flooded forward.

Celtic couldn't keep the ball in the last third for even a few minutes so it was a tall order to expect to hold out until the final whistle.

Wave after wave of attacks kept raining down on Artur Boruc's goal until the Pole couldn't hold a Ronaldo shot and Ryan Giggs headed home.

Thanks to some magnificent defending the Hoops held out for a point. But United didn't really hurt them until late in the game.

Celtic now face Aalborg away and it's a game they must win to keep faint hopes of a last-16 place alive.

An appalling away record evens up the stunning results at Parkhead.

One point from a possible 51 is embarrassing but Celtic have a great chance to claim their first win on the road when they head to Denmark.

And if Strachan's side manage to get the monkey off their back a two-goal win over Villarreal in the final group game could see them through.

But the Hoops need Manchester United to win in Spain next time out if they're to stand any chance.

And Villarreal could easily get a result against the English champions.

Fergie could tinker with his team in El Madrigal and if he leaves out Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney again it won't help Celtic's cause.

However, if United and Celtic both win on matchday five I will be putting my money on a 2-0 win for Strachan's side in the Parkhead decider.

If Villarreal head to Glasgow with it all to play for the atmosphere inside the ground would be unbeatable.

And the fans could help carry their side through to the last 16 for the third year on the spin.

I didn't think the punters were behind their team as much against Aalborg on match day one.

Maybe they were becoming blase with so many European giants coming to the east end of Glasgow and underestimated the minnows.

But they will raise the roof again if a two-goal win is needed against Manuel Pellegrini's men.

The players would get a massive lift and, unlikely as it sounds, Celtic would be favourites to win.

Villarreal clearly have better players than the SPL champions.

But when 60,000 screaming banshees are willing you to be faster, taller, stronger and hungrier you can get the unlikeliest of results.